Apparatus and method for propagating viruses i in the extra-embryonic fluids of eggs

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an apparatus and a system for automating the handling of eggs in the various steps of virus production in eggs containing a living embryo. Manual handling of individual eggs is avoided by keeping the eggs in trays, and eight eggs are automatically processed at one time in candling, sterilizing, hole punching, inoculating and sealing the eggs prior to incubation. After incubation the eggs are similarly handled and processed, eight at a time, in candling, chopping off the tops of the eggs, harvesting the extra-embryonic fluids from the eggs, and finally discarding the remainder of eggs.

United States Patent [72] Inventors MichaelG.Coady 3,147,783 9/1964Noltes Primary Examiner-Alvin E. Tanenholtz Attorney-Reverdy JohnsonABSTRACT: There is disclosed an apparatus and a system for automatingthe handling of eggs in the various steps of virus production in eggscontaining a living embryo. Manual handling of individual eggs isavoided by keeping the eggs in trays, and eight eggs are automaticallyprocessed at one time in candling, sterilizing, hole punching,inoculating and sealing the eggs prior to incubation. After incubationthe eggs are similarly handled and processed, eight at a time, incandling, chopping off the tops of the eggs, harvesting theextra-embryonic fluids from the eggs, and finally discarding theremainder of eggs,

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INVENTORS.

PATENTED UN 2 8 ISYI SHEET E9 0F 11 INVENTURS. fiiZd/de/ 6. (had ATTOR/VE VS.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROFAGATING VIRUSES IIN THE EXTRA-EMBRYONICFLUIDS F EGGS This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.

295,409 filed July 7, I963 and now abandoned. This invention relates toan apparatus and method for propagating viruses in the extra-embryonicfluids of embryonated eggs. Among the viruses that have heretofore beengrown in eggs are yellow fever, smallpox, influenza and Rocky Mountainspotted fever, for example.

Large quantities of vaccines have been produced by propagation of livevirus in the extra-embryonic fluids of eggs and harvesting of thesefluids after propagation; many thousands of eggs are handled onproduction lines per day for this purpose. In order to assure optimumpropagation, however, the egg must contain a living embryo.

It has been found that, when such eggs are arranged with their pointedends down and broader ends up, each yolk is located substantiallyadjacent to the (pointed) bottom of the egg, the embryo is above theyolk and approximately centered, an air sac is at the top, andextra-embryonic fluids extend above the embryo up to the lowermost levelof the air sac. Suspended in the extra-embryonic fluids are amultiplicity of veins, connected to the embryo.

It is now the accepted practice to determine whether the embryo isliving or dead by visually inspecting the egg. This is often done bymanual manipulation of an egg and light source to shine a bright lightbehind the egg and visually inspecting for the presence of an embryo andred veins in the extra-embryonic fluids.

I-leretofore, however, the method of inspection has been tedious andunreliable since no way had been found for mechanically positioning eggsand concentrating a strong beam of light on each egg without eitherdamaging the egg or causing reflections in the eyes of the observer,thus creating numerous errors on the part of the operator. Of course,any intense concentration of light or heat presents the danger ofkilling the embryo. It should be noted that equipment commerciallyavailable for candling infertile eggs for consumption as food will notoperate for candling embryonated eggs.

Another problem encountered in conventional methods resides in the factthat the extra-embryonic fluids must remain sterile throughout theoperation. Heretofore, in inoculating eggs with a live virus, foreignorganisms have been introduced inadvertently with costly results. Anydevelopment of harmful bacteria in on egg is transmitted broadly to theproduct from many, since it is conventional practice to combine into acommon pool the extra-embryonic fluids harvested from many eggs.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved apparatus and method for the propagation of viruses and thelike in the extra-embryonic fluids of eggs, which is capable of largescale production under sterile conditions, which provides for the growthand harvesting of a maximum quantity of virus-containing extra-embryonicfluids from each egg, and which includes provision for extremely rapidand highly accurate candling of the eggs.

Other objects and advantages of this invention, including simplicity andeconomy of the same, and the ease with which it may be applied toexisting equipment will appear in further detail hereinafter and in theaccompanying drawings whereof:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic plan view in block form, showing the firstphase of a typical operation conducted in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a second phase of 65 theoperation;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the lines and arrowsIII-III which appear both in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a preferred form ofegg-candling apparatus in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the lines and arrowslV-IV which appear in FIGS. 1,2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the egg illuminating and markingportion of the egg-candling apparatus which appears in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 5, showing the manner inwhich the egg-lighting apparatus operates when an egg is inclined at anangle to the vertical;

FIG. 7 is a view in side elevation taken as indicated by the lines andarrows VII-VII which appear in FIG. I, partly in section, showing apreferred form of apparatus for sterilizing the exteriors of egg shells,inoculating them with fluid containing live virus and sealing them;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view, taken partly in section, showing thatportion of the inoculating apparatus concerned with sterilization of theexteriors of the egg shells;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, taken in the same manner, butshowing the apparatus in its elevated position;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing a preferred fonn of aninoculating apparatus which appears in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing the apparatus in itselevated position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view in side elevation taken partially insection, showing a sealing device which is also embodied in theinoculating apparatus appearing in FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a view in side elevation taken as indicated by the lines andarrows XIII-XIII which appear in FIG. 2, illustrating a preferred formof chopping, harvesting and disposal apparatus constructed in accordancewith this invention;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view in side elevation, partially in section,showing a preferred fomt of chopping apparatus contained within theapparatus appearing in FIG. I3;

FIG. I5 is an enlarged view of the central portion of the apparatusshown in FIG. 14, illustrating important features;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view taken partially in section of the apparatusappearing in FIG. 14, illustrating the operation of the device;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view in side elevation taken partially insection, showing a preferred form of harvesting apparatus in accordancewith this invention;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. I7 showing the apparatus in itselevated position;

FIG. 19 is a side sectional view showing a modified form of apparatusfor sensing, punching and inoculating in accordance with this invention;and

FIG. 20 is a similar view taken in the same manner, showing theapparatus in its elevated position.

Turning now to the specific form of the invention selected forillustration in the drawings, it will be appreciated that thedescription which follows is intended to refer specifically to thoseforms of the invention as shown in the drawings, and is not intended todefine or to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in theappended claims.

In accordance with this invention, as shown in FIG. I, it is to beassumed that eggs have been selected which contain live embryos, andhave been incubated for a period of approximately l0 to 14 days afterlaying. Some eggs may be infertile and others will contain nonviableembryos and it is the purpose of this invention of course to separateinfertile eggs and those containing nonviable embryos from the eggscontaining live embryos. All of the eggs E are contained in trays T,each egg being substantially vertically arranged with its more pointedend at the bottom and with its flatter end at the top. Desirably but notnecessarily, these eggs may bearranged in trays rectangularly, eight bysix. Eggs may be delivered from a hatchery supplier in trays, thusallowing a process cycle of inoculation and harvesting without removalof eggs from trays. In this fashion, as shown, the trays aresuccessively placed on a feed conveyor where they move to a candlingstation 31 wherein a light is projected downwardly through the egg andis observed by the operator 0 located in a darkened booth 32. As themachine automatically advances the eggs along the conveyor path, theoperator scans the rows of eggs visually and observes any egg which isconsidered not to possess a live embryo. A marking panel 33 is locatedin the booth 32 and is electrically connected to a marking device 34which is manipulated by the operator 0 for applying a visible marking tothe outer surface of any egg so designated. As the eggs progress alongthe conveyor from the marking device 34, they pass through a replacementstation 35 where the marked eggs are manually replaced by anotheroperator The trays, now known to contain eggs all of which have liveembryos, advance to a sterilizing station 36 wherein the apparatusautomatically checks to determine the presence of eggs on the tray andthen proceeds to spray a selected spot in the area of the top of eachegg with an antiseptic solution such as tincture of iodine for example.The trays then advance to a punching and inoculation station 37 whereina minute hole is punched in the area of the top of each egg, through aportion of the shell which was sterilized at the station 36, and theselected virus is inoculated into the extra-embryonic fluids of the egg.The eggs are then automatically sealed at a sealing station 40 and arereturned to the incubator (not shown), in order to propagate the viruswhich was inoculated into the extra-embryonic fluids.

After incubation for any desired period, for example 2 days, the eggswhile still on their trays are passed through the apparatus appearing inFIG. 2 of the drawings, which is the second phase of the method. Thefirst portion of the second phase is the same as that referred to inFIG. 1, namely, the candling marking and replacement operations 31, 34and 35. However, the eggs which are now known to contain living embryostogether with propagated virus after a proper period of incubation arechilled as at 39 in any manner well known in the art, such as by dippingthe eggs and trays into a cold liquid, and the trays are conveyed to achopping station 41 wherein the tops of the eggs are chopped off,exposing the extra-embryonic fluids, and then to a harvesting station 42wherein the extra-embryonic fluids are withdrawn from the eggs. Then,the trays containing the remains of the eggs are conveyed to a dumpingstation 43 where the eggs are dumped out and the trays recovered, washedand returned to the hatchery.

The specific structures and functions of the processing stations andoperations just described will now be talten up individually, in detail.

Turning first structures FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the candlingstation 31 is located in the path of the feed conveyor 30 whichintroduces the eggs E, each contained in its proper position on a trayT. The conveyor 30 is preferably power driven by any conventional drivemeans, and slides the trays T with their edges resting on top of opposedside rails 45, each tray pushing its predecessor in a downstreamdirection. The surface of conveyor 30 is preferably somewhat slippery sothat whenever the trays T are stopped during the processing operation,those trays which are resting upon the conveyor 30 are permitted toremain stationary while the conveyor slides underneath.

Index pins 46 are provided for engaging selected portions of the trays Toutwardly of the eggs thereon, and for indexing the trays stepwise alonga predetermined path. A frame 47 which carries pins 46 is mounted onpins 50, which are carried on spaced apart shafts 51. The shafts 51 inturn are spring-urged by the helical springs 52 acting against themachine frame 53 and end flanges 54, urging the shafts 51 toward theleft as viewed in FIG. 3.

Means are provided for raising and lowering the frame 47 and itsattached pins 46. This means includes cams 55 which are rotatably drivenby chains 56 and sprockets 57 forming a drive train running from themain drive motor (not shown). It will be observed from the shapes of thecams 55 appearing in FIG. 3 that these cams serve to raise and lower theframe 47 in a definite timed sequence.

Means are provided for moving the frame 47 back and forth longitudinallyalong the conveyor path. Such means includes the cams 60 which operateagainst rollers 61 fixed to the shafts 51. This reciprocating motion istransmitted to the frame 47 and to the pins 46 through the pins 50.

Accordingly, it will be observed that in the operation of the apparatusunder the influence of the drive motor, the pins 46 are raised untilthey enter corresponding holes on several trays T, which are then movedlongitudinally in unison through a distance equal to the space betweencenters of the eggs on the trays T. Pins 46 are then lowered out of andaway from the holes on the trays, are reciprocated rearwardly until theyare directly beneath the next set of holes on the trays T, and are thenraised again to penetrate into such next holes on the trays. In thismanner, the trays are gradually indexed in a downstream direction, onerow at a time, and come to a stop at the end of each indexing movement.

Means are provided for maintaining the rows of trays in a predeterminedposition when the pins 46 are lowered out of engagement therewith. Suchmeans includes a plurality of positioning pins 62 which are mounted on apositioning frame 63 which is reciprocated up and down in timed relationto the movement of the frame 47 up and down. Specifically, the cams 64bearing upon rollers 65 operating through arms 66 on which thepositioning pins 62 are mounted, cause the pins 62 to rise when the pins50 descend, and to descent when the pins 50 rise. This apparatusprotects against accidental displacement of the trays while they are atrest.

The number 31 generically designates the candling portion of theapparatus. Means are provided for automatically operating the candlingapparatus 31 in timed relation with the egg-advancing and indexingapparatus just described. This means includes a chain 70 operated fromthe main drive train of the apparatus, which is connected to rotate cams71 which bear upon rollers 72 mounted on a slide 73 which is slidablycarried by a fixed support 73 (a) and carrying at its lower end aplurality of lighting and marking devices 34 and 74. Springs 74bcontinuously urge the slide 73 upwardly with respect to fixed support 73(a). The cams 71 are timed with the cams which govern the indexing ofthe eggs along the conveyor path, such that the lighting device 74 is inits elevated position when an egg E stops beneath it, and it thendescends automatically to perform the egg candling operation, details ofwhich will appear in further detail hereinafter.

The details of the egg candling apparatus appear more particularly inFIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. Attached to the slide 73 is a pluralityof housings 75 each containing a light bulb 76 connected to anelectrical source by a wire 77. Depending from each housing 75 is anelastic, light shielding bellows 80 of generally circular cross section.As shown in FIG. 5, the bellows consists of a multiplicity of inwardlyand outwardly flared portions, and terminates at its lower end with anoutwardly flared portion 81. This is an important and ad vantageousfeature of this invention, since the bellows not only provides anexceedingly effective light shield for the light generated by bulb 76,but it also accommodates itself admirably to eggs of different heights,sizes and shapes, or even to an egg which is inclined away from thevertical, as shown in FIG. 6. Desirably, electric switching means areprovided for deenergizing the lights 76 when the bellows 80 are raisedabove the eggs.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 also includes a marking device 34,including a support 82 reciprocatably carrying a marker 83 which may beactuated electrically by the operator of the device through a solenoid84 connected to the control panel of the apparatus. The solenoid 84operates a lever 85 hingedly connected to the marker 83 to reciprocatethe same in its support 82, toward and away from the egg E. in thismanner, the operator is enabled to make a mark on the shell of any eggthat is considered to be defective, all without interfering with theoverall progress of the egg candling operation.

Turning now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the apparatus shown therein ishoused within a sterile hood having inspection windows M and sterilizinglamps 92. The sterilizing station 36 is driven by a chain 93 which isalso shown in FIG. 3, through the drive train coming from the main drivemotor of the apparatus, all as heretofore described. Thus, thesterilizing operation is driven automatically in timed relation to thedriving of the egg advancing and indexing mean heretofore described.

The sterilizing station includes a pair of cams 94 which bear uponrollers 95 carried upon slide 96, thus reciprocating the slide 96 up anddown and toward and away from the egg trays T. The return movement ofthe slide upwardly is, of course, accomplished by the spring 97.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 7 also includes a similarly arranged set ofcams, slides and rollers for the punching and inoculating station 37 andfor sealing station 40, both of which are mounted within the sterilehood 90. As heretofore described in connection with the sterilizingstation 36, both the stations 37 and are automatically driven by thechains 100, 101, in timed relation to the operation of the egg advancingapparatus.

The specific details of construction of the sterilizing apparatus appearin FIGS. 3 and 9 of the drawings. The vertically reciprocable slide 96which extends across the entire apparatus, is fixed to a plurality oflaterally spaced apart cylindrical tubes 102, each located directlyabove an egg-containing tray pocket. A source of tincture or iodine orother sterilizing liquid (not shown) is connected through a supply tube103 to the cylinder 102 which has a central bore 104. At the lower endof cylinder 102 is a sensing device comprehensively designated by thenumber 105. This sensing device 105 includes a sleeve 106 affixed to anddepending from the lower end of the cylinder 102, to which is attached apair of arms 107, 107 one of which is provided with a pivot 110 fromwhich an ear 111 is swingingly dependent. Attached to the ear 111 is amask structure 109 which includes a cylindrical hollow rubber tube 112which is arranged for contact with the upper portion of the shell of theegg. The arm 107' is provided with a stop member 113 spaced slightlybeneath the extension 114 ofthe mask 109.

Also carried on the outer surface of the sleeve 106 is an electricswitch 116 having a plunger 115 arranged to come into contact with theextension 114 when the mask 109 is raised, and to come out of contactwhen the mask extension is lowered (by gravity) against the stop 113.Thus, it will be understood that when the slide 96 is lowered, the masks112 of all the sterilizing devices across the row come into contact withthe eggs beneath them, thus swinging each mask individually pivotallyupwardly about the pivot 110, actuating each switch 116. To compensatefor different egg heights and to protect the eggs against damage,lightweight yieldable compensating springs 118 are provided between eachslide 96 and its associated sleeve 106.

In each such device, switch 116 is connected electrically to a circuitconnected to a solenoid valve (not shown) functioning to admit thetincture of iodine into the tube 103 under pressure. At the lower end ofcylinder 104 is a spray nozzle 117 provided with a ball check valve 120,which is arranged to direct a spray of iodine S against the localizedarea of the upper portion ofthe shell.

It will be appreciated that, at the time the sterilizing device isautomatically lowered by its cam, if no egg is present beneath the mask112, the mark 112 is not urged upwardly at all and thus does notenergize the spraying device. In this manner, the spraying devicefunctions as a sensing device, and provides a spray only when an egg islocated beneath the mask 112 and actuates the sensing device.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the details ofthe punching and inoculatingapparatus 37. Rods 121 are operated by cams 94 and reciprocate up anddown in timed relation with the indexing movement of the eggs along theconveyor. Rod 121 is in its upper position as shown in FIG. 11 as eachegg is indexed to a stop beneath it. At its lower end, the rod 121carries a structure including a pivotally mounted masking andegg-sensing tube 122 having a structure and operation similar to thatheretofore described in connection with FIGS. 8 and 9; a switch 123mounted on a plate 121d which floats on rod 121 and coacts with theextension 124 to energize the apparatus electrically. Springs 1210, 121band 121c are provided to compensate the movement of rods 121 toaccommodate eggs of various heights, in the same manner as previouslydisclosed.

A cylindrical 125 is mounted on the plate 121d; its piston 1250 isconnected to reciprocate a bracket 126 up and down along the rod. Thebracket 126 carries a cylinder 127 having,

at its lower end, a punch tube 130 provided with a sharpened andinclined lower end 131 and having a central bore 132.

Also mounted on the plate 121d at the upper end thereof, is anothercylinder 133 having a piston 134 which is attached to a bracket 135which in turn carries another cylinder 136. Depending from the lower endof the cylinder 136 is an elongated hypodermic needle 137 which passesthrough apertures in the lower cylinder 127 and through the bore 132 inthe punch tube 130. Attached to the cylinder 136 is a tube 140 arrangedfor the introduction of the virus-bearing liquid.

Bracket 135 has an arm arranged to actuate a switch 135a carried byplate 12111, and connected electrically to a fourway solenoid valve (notshown) which actuates a cylinder 13% operating a reciprocating pump 1350to provide a measured shot of liquid virus through tube 140.

Located above the switch 123 is another switch 141 which is arranged foractuation by contact with an adjustable threaded member 142 carried bythe bracket 126.

The operation of the apparatus appearing in FIGS. 10 and 11 will nowbecome apparent. After an egg E has assumed its proper position beneaththe punch tube 130, the rod 121 is automatically actuated by its cam 94'in a downward direction until the tube 122 contacts the top of the eggshell, thus energizing switch 123 which is connected electrically to asolenoid valve connected to the pressure line of cylinder 125, extending its piston downwardly and forcing the punch tube end 131 downthrough the uppermost portion of the egg shell. This creates a hole in aportion of the egg shell which has previously been sterilized.

The extent of penetration of punch tube 130 is limited by the limitedstroke length of the piston 1250. In this manner the punch tube end 131always penetrates the shell but does not extend down into the egg farenough to harm the embryo.

With the downward movement of the piston of cylinder 125, adjustablescrew 142 contacts switch 141 which is connected electrically to asolenoid valve (not shown) in the pressure line of cylinder 133, thusadmitting pressure to the cylinder, forcing piston 134 and brackets 135downwardly. This moves the cylinder 136 and its hypodermic needle 137bodily downwardly, and the hypodermic needle 137 passes down through thebore in the punch tube 130 and into the extra-embryonic fluids of theegg E. The switch 135a is connected to the solenoid valve heretoforementioned, but not shown in the drawings, which is connected to cylinder135b which injects a measured quantity of virus into the egg.

Again, the limitation on stroke length of piston 134 assures that thehypodermic needle 137 penetrates into the extraembryonic fluids but notonto the embryo.

With continued rotation of the earns 94 located above the rods 121, therods 121 move upwardly, thus opening the switch 123, reversing theenergization of cylinder 125 by reversal of the solenoid valve (notshown), moving its piston together with bracket 126 upwardly, thusdeenergizing switch 141, reversing the energization of piston 133, andmoving the bracket 135 and cylinder 136 upwardly, and reversing switch135a, all the parts then having the relative positions illustrated inFIG. 11 of the drawings. ln this manner, the punch tube 130 is firstmoved quickly downwardly in a manner to penetrate the egg shell, thehypodermic needle 137 is then moved downwardly through the bore in thepunch tube, a shot of virus-bearing fluid is injected into theextra-embryonic fluids, and the punch tube and hypodermic needle arethen quickly withdrawn upwardly from the egg. In this manner, thehypodermic needle 137 does not come into contact with any part of theegg shell and this is an important and advantageous feature of thisinvention since the danger of contamination is thereby greatly reducedor even entirely eliminated.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show a modified form of punching and inoculatingapparatus. In these FIGS, parts which are similar to those heretoforedescribed have been assigned the same numbers. However, in thismodification, mechanical springs are utilized in order to effect themovements of the punch tube 130 and of the hypodermic needle 137, allautomatically and in response to the function of the cams and all intimed relation to the indexing movement of the eggs in their trays. Inthis apparatus, a lower cylinder 151i is slidably mounted in a fixedtube 149 and in its bore is a reciprocably mounted upper cylinder 151.The lower cylinder 150 carries the punch tube 130 while the uppercylinder 151 carries the hypodermic needle 137. A helical spring 152urges the lower cylinder 150 upwardly with respect to the tube 149.Cylinder 151 is movable up and down within the cylinder 151i, and ahelical spring 154 urges it upwardly with respect thereto. The number155 designates a helical compensating spring extending between thecylinder 150 and an extension 148 on the slide member 121', while asmaller helical spring 156 extends between the slide 121 and thecylinder 151. Compensating spring 155 compensates for variations ofheight of eggs, all as heretofore described.

In operation, the strengths and sizes of the springs are so related thatwhen the slide member 121' descends, the punch tube 130 is first driventhrough the shell and when it reaches its limit position, further forceoperating through the springs forces the cylinder 151 downwardly withinthe cylinder 150, forcing the hypodermic needle downwardly through thepunch tube 130. Further rotation of the cam which actuates the slidemember 121' brings the parts to the position shown in FIG. 20.

The sensing switch structure which is mounted on the bottom of the punchtube 130, functions in the same manner as that previously described.

FIG. 12 of the drawings shows the apparatus for sensing the presence ofthe egg and for sealing the opening made by the punch tube 130. Hereagain, this apparatus is operated by a vertically reciprocable slide159, actuated by cams from above as shown in FIG. 7, and includes acylinder 160 which is affixed to the slide 159, and a compensatingspring 160a. It includes a sensing structure 161 similar to thoseheretofore described, including a switch 162 which is connected tocontrol a solenoid valve (not shown) connected to a supply of liquidsealant which is to be applied to cover the hole in the egg shell. Inthis embodiment of the invention, a rubber tube 163 is provided at thebottom of the sensing apparatus 161, such tube having a depressedperimeter forming a valley adapted to accommodate a garter spring 164. Agauze shield screen 165 is extended across the lower opening of therubber mask 163, and this is held in place by the garter spring 164 asshown. In operation, it will be apparent that with the lowering of theslide 159, the switch 162 is actuated, causing a spray of wax emulsionor the like to be ejected through the nozzle at the bottom of the tube166, which spray penetrates through the gauze shield screen for uniformapplication to the surface of the egg shell, covering the hole H. Withthe continued rotation of the cams which actuate the slide 159, theentire apparatus is withdrawn upwardly, all heretofore described.

FIG. 13 shows the details of a preferred form of apparatus forcollecting the extra-embryonic fluids after embryonic growth has beencompleted, as heretofore described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. Itis to be understood that, after incubation and embryonic growth, theeggs while still in their trays are again candled, and the defectiveeggs marked and replaced. Following this, they move along the conveyorto enter the apparatus as shown in FIG. 13, from the right.

As shown in FIG. 13, the apparatus is provided with a sterile hood 170having an entrance 171 for the eggs in their trays, which are indexedalong in a stepwise manner by the index pins 46 as heretofore described.The chop-off station 41 includes cams 172 driven by the chain 173 whichis driven by the main power source in timed relation to the indexingmovement of the egg trays on their conveyor, and in the mannerheretofore described, cams 172 reciprocate a slide 174 up and down inorder to actuate a chopping mechanism, the details of which will bediscussed in further detail hereinafter. As shown in FIG. 13, however,it will be apparent that the chopping mechanism removes the top portionof the egg shell, leaving the eggs open at the top.

LII

The harvesting apparatus 42 is similarly driven by cams 175 whichreciprocate a slide 176 up and down in the manner heretofore described,in order to drive the harvesting mechanism for removing theextra-embryonic fluids from the opened eggs.

Located at the downstream end of the hood 170 is a dumping station 43including ledges 181 of angles 45 over which the trays are driven bytheir conveyor, a depressed rearwardly curved trough having curvedguides 182 extending along the edges of the hood 170 for engagement withthe edge flanges of the trays, and a chute 183 fonning a conduit for theegg shells and their remaining contents. The number 184 designates areturn conveyor for the empty trays, which conducts the trays to a traywasher (not shown). Conveyor 184 is driven by a chain 185 which in turnis driven from the main drive train of the apparatus. In operation, itwill be appreciated that the continued indexing movement of the traysunder the influence of the pins 416 forces each tray over the ledges181, causing it to tilt as indicated in dot-dash lines in FIG. 13,whereupon continued indexing movement of the following tray overturnsthe tray, causing it to assume the inclined position shown in solidlines in FIG. 13, whereupon the egg shells and contents are dumped outof the tray. The tray then slides downwardly along the curved guides182, onto the return conveyor 184, as shown.

FIGS. 14-16 show the details of a preferred form of a chopping device inaccordance with this invention. The slide 174 carries a fixedcylindrical tube 186 having an air supply tube 187. Affixed at the lowerend of tube 186 is a sleeve 190 carrying a solenoid 191 connectedthrough a bellcrank lever 192 to a chopping blade 193. Depending fromthe sleeve 190 is a resilient cup 194 shaped to engage the upper portionof each egg and to hold it finnly in position during the choppingoperation. Extending downwardly within the sleeve 190 is an air tube 195having a curved tip 196 directed to focus a stream of air upon the eggshell portion which is chopped off by the chopping blade 193. The number197 designates a conduit for the chopped shell, which is connected to asource of vacuum (not shown), through a tube 200.

The entire device is yieldably urged against the egg E under theinfluence of a helical compensating spring 201 which is disposed betweenthe sleeve 190 and a block 202 carried by the slide 174.

Means are provided for the automatic actuation of the device shown inFIG. 14. This means includes a switch 203 which is connectedelectrically to the solenoid 191 to actuate the chopping device. Switch203 is also connected to a solenoid valve (not shown) in the vacuumline, causing the vacuum to be applied to the conduit 197. Anotherswitch 204 located above the switch 203 is connected to the source ofair supply and regulates this by operating a solenoid valve (not shown)connected into the air supply tube 187. Protuberances 205, 2116 aremounted on the sleeve 190 in position to actuate the switches 203, 204respectively.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 14-16, when the egg isindexed beneath the resilient cups 194, the cups are in their elevatedposition as shown in FIG. '15. With the continued rotation of the cams172 (FIG. 13), the slide 174 appearing in FIG. 14 is moved downwardlyuntil the resilient cup 194 embraces the egg and the switches 203 and204 are actuated, energizing the chopping device causing the plunger ofthe solenoid 191 to move downwardly, swinging the chopping blade 193downwardly toward the egg and chopping off the top of the eg at a levelabove the bottom of the air sac. Simultaneously, vacuum and air areapplied in a manner to remove the chopped shell and to prevent it fromfalling down into the extra-embryonic fluids of the egg. Upon completionof the chopping operation, continued rotation of the cams 172 causes theslide 174 to rise, the switches 203, 20-3 are deenergized and thechopping blade is withdrawn to the position shown in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the details of a preferred form of harvestingapparatus in accordance with this invention. Here again it will beappreciated that the slide 176 is operated by the cams 175 as shown inFIG. 13, and is reciprocated up and down thereby. When the egg which isopen at the top comes to a stop beneath the harvesting component of theapparatus, the continued rotation of the cams 175 causes the slide 176to descent.

Affxed to the slide 176 is a cylinder 214 carried in a block 215 affixedto the slide 176. A vacuum tube 216 is affixed to the top of thecylinder 214. Depending from the cylinder 214 is a sleeve 217 carryingat its lower extremity a sensing device 218 which is similar to sensingdevices heretofore described, and which operates in conjunction with aswitch 219 to energize the apparatus in response to the sensing of thepresence of an egg beneath and in contact with the flexible rubber tube220.

The sleeve 217 is mounted for vertical reciprocation with respect to thecylinder 2141 which carries a piston 222 which fits within the boreofthe sleeve 217.

Located at the lower end of the cylinder 214 is an enlarged head 223which is generally circular in cross section and which has a concavecurvature 224 which its lower end. The head 223 is provided, as shown,with a multiplicity of sidewardly extending passages 225 all connectingto a central passage 226 which is connected to the vacuum tube 216.

In operation, the apparatus of FIGS. 17 and 18 is moved downwardly underthe influence of slide 176 which moves the tube 220 down into contactwith the upper portion of the egg E. Continued movement of slide 176downwardly forces the cylinder 214 together with the attached head 223downwardly through the opening in the eggshell formed by the choppingdevice, and the concave portion of the head 223 gently displaces theembryo E and the yolk Y downwardly toward the bottom of the egg, thusfreeing a maximum quantity of the extra-embryonic fluids which arelocated above the embryo and the yolk. As the head 223 approaches itslowermost position, the sensing device 218 actuates the switch 219,which is connected to a solenoid valve (not shown) in the vacuum line216, connecting the head 223 to the vacuum source, thus sucking out theextra-embryonic fluids. Continued rotation of the cams 175 causes theslide 176 to rise, bringing the entire apparatus up above the egg, tothe position as shown in FIG. 18. As heretofore described, a helicalcompensating spring 230 is provided for controlling the amount ofdownwardly directed pressure to be applied to the shell of the eggduring the harvesting operation and this spring 230 is extended to theposition shown in FIG. 18 when the harvesting apparatus is lifted upaway from the egg.

it will be appreciated that the sensing device shown in connection withsome of the components may be used also in connection with any or all.it will be appreciated further that this and many other importantfeatures of this invention are common to the steps of spraying,punching, inoculating, sealing, chopping and harvesting, all of whichsteps are referred to generically herein as treating" the egg.

While this invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various changes other than those referred to above may be made inthe form of the device and method, that equivalent elements may besubstituted for those illustrated in the drawings, that parts may bereversed, and that certain features of the invention may be used toadvantage independently of the use of other features, all within thespirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for propagating virus in embryonated eggs for theproduction of vaccines, the combination which comprises:

a. means for moving said eggs along a predetermined path;

b. one station along said path having egg-treating means for treatingthe eggs by spraying, punching, inoculating or, sealing, or harvestingthe extra-embryonic fluids after propagation;

c. means for moving the egg-treating means up and down and thus awayfrom and toward the eggs in said path;

d. means for automatically timing the movement of the treating means inrelation with the movement of the eggs along the path to lower theegg-treating means into contact with the egg beneath the egg-treatingmeans;

e. egg-sensing means carried by said treating means and responsive tocontact with the egg to be treated for automatically sensing thepresence of the egg to be treated, and

. means responsive to actuation of said egg sensing means for energizingsaid egg treating means to perform the treating operation on the eggcontacted.

. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which:

the egg-treating means includes a member positioned in the lower portionthereof and movable up and down therewith, said member having a stoplip;

b. the means responsive to actuation of said egg sensing means forenergizing the corresponding egg-treating means to perform the treatingoperation on the egg contacted, includes an electrical switch positionedon the egg-treating means and movable up and down therewith; and

c. the egg-sensing means includes:

i. an arm pivotally supported at one end to said member and having itsother end normally resting against said stop lip;

ii. a relatively short hollow tube mounted upon the underside of saidarm and extending downwardly therefrom with the longitudinal axis of thetube substantially vertical, the inside diameter of said tube beingsmaller than the outside diameter of an egg on a substantiallyhorizontal plane through the upper portion of an egg when the egg ispositioned with its pointed end down, so that the lower edge of saidtube engages the egg beneath it when the egg treating means is moveddownwardly toward the egg beneath it; and

iii. an actuating pin for said electrical switch, said pin moving toactuate said switch when said arm pivots upwardly and moves away fromsaid stop lip and engages said actuating pin,

whereby, when said egg-treating means moves downwardly toward the eggbeneath it, the lower edge of said hollow tube engages the upper portionof the egg beneath it. and then, as the egg-treating means attempts tomove further downward, the top portion of the egg acts as a fulcrum forsaid arm and causes said arm to move away from said stop lip and to movesaid actuating pin to cause said electrical switch to energize theegg-treating means to perform the treating operation on the eggcontacted.

3. In an apparatus for indexing a plurality of trays provided withflanges having apertures arranged along the edges thereof, thecombination which comprises conveying means including supporting meansfor supporting said trays from beneath, means forming a plurality ofpins extending upwardly from beneath the trays and shaped to fit intothe apertures in said trays, a common supporting means for carrying saidpins, drive means constructed and arranged to move said pins up and downtoward and away from said trays for engagement with and disengagementfrom said apertures in said trays, and further drive means operated intimed relation with the drive means first mentioned, for moving saidpins longitudinally in a predetermined direction when said pins areengaged within said apertures, and for returning said pins in theopposite direction when said pins are disengaged from said apertures.

4. In an apparatus for processing a plurality of eggs contained in traysprovided with flanges having apertures arranged along the edges thereof,the combination which comprises conveying means including supportingmeans for supporting said trays from beneath, means forming a pluralityof pins extending upwardly from beneath said trays and shaped to fitinto the apertures in said trays, a common supporting means for carryingsaid pins, drive means constructed and ariii ranged to move saidsupporting means and pins up and down toward and away from said traysfor engagement with and disengagement from said apertures in said trays,and further drive means operated in timed relation with the drive meansfirst mentioned, for moving said pins longitudinally in a predetermineddirection when said pins are engaged within said apertures, and forreturning said pins in the opposite direction when said pins aredisengaged from said apertures, a multiplicity of light sources arrangedfor movement up and down toward and away from the eggs carried in saidtrays, and means for moving said light sources in timed relation to themovement of said eggs on said trays, and for contacting said eggs withsaid light sources when said pins are disengaged from said apertures insaid trays.

5. In an apparatus for determining the presence of a living embryo in anegg, the combination which comprises means for moving said egg along apredetermined path, lighting means movable at an angle to saidpredetermined path and in timed relation with the movement of said egg,means forming a flexible bellows extending down from said lighting meansand arranged to contact the upper portion of the shell of said egg,means for stopping said lighting means and said bellows while saidbellows contacts said egg, thus providing for visual inspection of saidegg while thus lighted, and automatic means for moving said bellows awayfrom said egg.

6. The apparatus defined in claim wherein said bellows includes aplurality of foidabie accordion-shaped sections the lowermost of whichflares outwardly.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein the movements of the egg andof the bellows are both intermittent and include a period of rest whensaid bellows is in contact with said egg.

8. in an apparatus for penetrating into and inoculating an egg, thecombination which comprises means for moving said egg along apredetermined path, an inoculating means movable up and down and towardand away from said path, means for timing the movement of saidinoculating means in timed relation with the movement of the egg alongthe path, automatic means for lowering said inoculating means intocontact with said egg, means automatically sensing the presence of saidegg in response to contact therewith, and means for automaticallyenergizing the inoculating apparatus to penetrate and inoculate said eggin response to such contact.

9. Apparatus for inoculating an egg with a liquid virus, comprisingconveyor means constructed and arranged for moving said egg along apredetermined path, a punching device arranged at an angle to saidpredetermined path, means for moving said punching device toward andaway from said egg in timed relation with the movement of said egg, saidpunchingdevice including means for penetrating the upper portion of theshell of said egg, an inoculating device extending through said punchingdevice, means for moving said inoculating device down into theextra-embryonic fluids of the egg, and means for actuating theinoculating device while thus positioned.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the means for moving saidpunching device and said inoculating device comprise separate cylinders.

li. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein an automatic means isprovided for actuating the cylinder for the inoculating device inresponse to penetrating movement of said punching device.

12. in an apparatus for spraying a shell in conjunction with inoculatingan eg with a liquid virus, the combination which comprises means formoving said egg along a predetermined path, a spray device movable at anangle to said predetermined path and in timed relation with the movementof said egg, sensing means carried by the spray device and arranged tocontact the upper portion of the shell of said egg and automatic meansfor energizing the spray device while thus positioned.

13. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said spray device isdirected against the top of the shell and is connected to a source ofsterilizing fluid.

14. The apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein said spray device isconnected to a source of hardenabie fluid sprayed is directed against ahole formed at an upper portion of said shell, and wherein means areprovided for disposing a fine screen between said spray device and saidshell.

15. In an apparatus for harvesting the extra-embryonic fluids ofembryonated eggs which have previously been inoculated with a live virusand incubated to produce virus-containing extra-embryonic fluids in theeggs, said apparatus including means for supporting a plurality of eggswith their blunt ends up' and for moving said eggs, one at a time, to aharvesting station after the tops of the blunt ends of the eggs havebeen cut and removed, the improvement which comprises:

a. a harvesting device having a tube with a bore and a head at thebottom thereof larger than the exterior diameter of the tube but smallerthan the openings in the eggs;

b. means supporting said harvesting device above the egg in saidharvesting station for reciprocating movement in a vertical direction,so that the lower end of said harvesting device may be inserteddownwardly through the hole in the egg in the harvesting station, and

c. means actuated in timed relation to the movement of the eggs to theharvesting station for moving the harvesting device downwardly into eacheg at the harvesting station to depress the embryo in that egg and forsucking out of the egg, through the bore of the tube of the harvestingdevice, the extra-embryonic fluids of the egg, said means thereafterwithdrawing the harvesting device from that egg before that egg is movedout of the harvesting station and the next egg moved to the harvestingstation.

16. An apparatus as described in claim 15 in which the head at thebottom of the harvesting device has a bottom surface which is concaveupwardly, with the head having a plurality of radially directed passagedtherein extending outwardly to the side of the head and connectedcentrally to the bore of the tube.

17. In an egg candiing apparatus having means supporting the egg to becandied with its blunt end projecting from the egg supporting means, anemitter of light rays, and means supporting the light emitter in theproximity of the eg when the egg is supported by the egg supportingmeans, the improvement comprising:

a. means including a light-opaque tube having an inner end adjacent saidlight emitter and supported by said light emitter supporting means, andan outer end projecting in the direction of the egg to be candied,preventing the transmission of light from said light emitter in alldirections except outwardly from the outer end of said light-opaquetube; and

b. means for moving one of said supporting means relative to the otherso that the outer end of said light-opaque tube engages the blunt end ofthe egg in said egg supporting means when that egg is to be candied;

c. said light-opaque tube having at least that part of it which is atand near the outer end of the tube, in the form of a flexible bellowswith annular wall sections, and having at the outermost end of thebellows an annular wall section which flares radially outwardly,whereby, during egg candiing, a light seal is readily provided betweenthe egg and the outermost end of the tube which is effective for all ofthe normal variations encountered in egg sizes and for all of the normalvariations in the orientation of the egg in the egg supporting means, sothat the interior of the egg is illuminated by the light rays from saidlight emitter with no significant amount of light from the light emitterreaching the eye of the candler that does not first pass through the eggbeing candied.

18. In an apparatus for propagating virus in eggs for the production ofvaccines, the combination which comprises:

a. means for moving said eggs along a predetermined path;

b. at least two stations along said path having egg treating means fortreating the eggs by spraying, punching, inoculating, or sealing;

c. means for moving each egg treating means up and down and thus awayfrom and toward the eggs in said path;

d. means for automatically timing the movement of each egg treatingmeans in relation with the movement of the eggs along the path to lowereach egg treating means into contact with the egg beneath thecorresponding egg treating means;

. egg-sensing means carried by each such egg treating means andresponsive to contact with the egg to be treated for automaticallysensing the presence of the egg to be treated, and

f. means responsive to the individual actuation of each such egg sensingmeans for energizing the corresponding eggtreating means to perform thetreating operation on the egg contacted.

19. in an apparatus for propagating virus in embryonated eggs for theproduction of vaccines, the combination which comprises:

a. conveyor means for moving said eggs intermittently along apredetermined path with a dwell period at a station along said pathhaving egg-treating means that discharges either an antiseptic orsealing liquid against the surface of the egg or a virus-containinginoculating liquid inside a hole at the top of the egg;

b. means for moving said egg-treating means up and down and thus awayfrom and toward the eggs in said path;

c. means for automatically timing the movement of said egg treatingmeans in relation with the movement of the eggs along the path to lowersaid egg treating means close to the egg beneath it in a dwell period ofsaid conveyor means;

d. egg-sensing means carried by said treating means and responsive tocontact with the egg to be treated for automatically sensing thepresence of the egg to be treated;

whereby no such liquid is discharged by the egg-treating means onto theconveyor means when the conveyor means fails to have, during a dwellperiod, an egg under the egg-treating means.

20. An apparatus for inoculation of embryonated eggs,

comprising in combination:

a. egg-holding means capable of holding eggs in aligned rows;

b. a row of hypodermic needles aligned with one row of eggs;

c. a first means for producing relative movement between a row of eggsand the hypodermic needles aligned with such row of eggs;

d. a second means adjacent each needle that (i) engages the top of thecorresponding eg as the first means brings the needles into proximitywith the eggs, (ii) causes the corresponding egg to be punctured, and(iii) causes the tips of the respective needles to be introduced eachinto its corresponding eg a fixed depth regardless of whether that eggis small, medium or large, and regardless of the size of the other eggsin the row;

e. a third means connected to each needle for pumping a predeterminedvolume of inoculum through each needle when it has entered the eggshelland penetrated to said fixed depth; and

. a fourth means for returning the second means to their originalposition upon completion of the inoculation of the row of eggs.

t i i i i

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which: a. the egg-treating meansincludes a member positioned in the lower portion thereof and movable upand down therewith, said member having a stop lip; b. the meansresponsive to actuation of said egg sensing means for energizing thecorresponding egg-treating means to perform the treating operation onthe egg contacted, includes an electrical switch positioned on theegg-treating means and movable up and down therewith; and c. theegg-sensing means includes: i. an arm pivotally supported at one end tosaid member and having its other end normally resting against said stoplip; ii. a relatively short hollow tube mounted upon the underside ofsaid arm and extending downwardly therefrom with the longitudinal axisof the tube substantially vertical, the inside diameter of said tubebeing smaller than the outside diameter of an egg on a substantiallyhorizontal plane through the upper portion of an egg when the egg ispositioned with its pointed end down, so that the lower edge of saidtube engages the egg beneath it when the egg treating means is moveddownwardly toward the egg beneath it; and iii. an actuating pin for saidelectrical switch, said pin moving to actuate said switch when said armpivots upwardly and moves away from said stop lip and engages saidactuating pin, whereby, when said egg-treating means moves downwardlytoward the egg beneath it, the lower edge of said hollow tube engagesthe upper portion of the egg beneath it, and then, as the egg-treatingmeans attempts to move further downward, the top portion of the egg actsas a fulcrum for said arm and causes said arm to move away from saidstop lip and to move said actuating pin to cause said electrical switchto energize the egg-treating means to perform the treating operation onthe egg contacted.
 3. In an apparatus for indexing a plurality of traysprovided with flanges having apertures arranged along the edges thereof,the combination which comprises conveying means including supportingmeans for supporting said trays from beneath, means forming a pluralityof pins extending upwardly from beneath the trays and shaped to fit intothe apertures in said trays, a common supporting means for carrying saidpins, drive means constructed and arranged to move said pins up and downtoward and away from said trays for engagement with and disengagementfrom said apertures in said trays, and further drive means operated intimed relation with the drive means first mentioned, for moving saidpins longitudinally in a predetermined direction when said pins areengaged within said apertures, and for returning said pins in theopposite direction when said pins are disengaged from said apertures. 4.In an apparatus for processing a plurality of eggs contained in traysprovided with flanges having apertures arranged along the edges thereof,the combination which comprises conveying means including supportingmeans for supporting said trays from beneath, means forming a pluralityof pins extending upwardly from beneath said trays and shaped to fitinto the apertures in said trays, a common supporting means for carryingsaid pins, drive means constructed and arranged to move said supportingmeans and pins up and down toward and away from said trays forengagement with and disengagement from said apertures in said trays, andfurther drive means operated in timed relation with the drive meansfirst mentioned, for moving said pins longitudinally in a predetermineddirection when said pins are engaged within said apertures, and forreturning said pins in the opposite direction when said pins aredisengaged from said apertures, a multiplicity of light sources arrangedfor movement up and down toward and away from the eggs carried in saidtrays, and means for moving said light sources in timed relation to themovement of said eggs on said trays, and for contacting said eggs withsaid light sources when said pins are disengaged from said apeRtures insaid trays.
 5. In an apparatus for determining the presence of a livingembryo in an egg, the combination which comprises means for moving saidegg along a predetermined path, lighting means movable at an angle tosaid predetermined path and in timed relation with the movement of saidegg, means forming a flexible bellows extending down from said lightingmeans and arranged to contact the upper portion of the shell of saidegg, means for stopping said lighting means and said bellows while saidbellows contacts said egg, thus providing for visual inspection of saidegg while thus lighted, and automatic means for moving said bellows awayfrom said egg.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said bellowsincludes a plurality of foldable accordion-shaped sections the lowermostof which flares outwardly.
 7. The apparatus defined in claim 5 whereinthe movements of the egg and of the bellows are both intermittent andinclude a period of rest when said bellows is in contact with said egg.8. In an apparatus for penetrating into and inoculating an egg, thecombination which comprises means for moving said egg along apredetermined path, an inoculating means movable up and down and towardand away from said path, means for timing the movement of saidinoculating means in timed relation with the movement of the egg alongthe path, automatic means for lowering said inoculating means intocontact with said egg, means automatically sensing the presence of saidegg in response to contact therewith, and means for automaticallyenergizing the inoculating apparatus to penetrate and inoculate said eggin response to such contact.
 9. Apparatus for inoculating an egg with aliquid virus, comprising conveyor means constructed and arranged formoving said egg along a predetermined path, a punching device arrangedat an angle to said predetermined path, means for moving said punchingdevice toward and away from said egg in timed relation with the movementof said egg, said punching-device including means for penetrating theupper portion of the shell of said egg, an inoculating device extendingthrough said punching device, means for moving said inoculating devicedown into the extra-embryonic fluids of the egg, and means for actuatingthe inoculating device while thus positioned.
 10. The apparatus definedin claim 9, wherein the means for moving said punching device and saidinoculating device comprise separate cylinders.
 11. The apparatusdefined in claim 9, wherein an automatic means is provided for actuatingthe cylinder for the inoculating device in response to penetratingmovement of said punching device.
 12. In an apparatus for spraying ashell in conjunction with inoculating an egg with a liquid virus, thecombination which comprises means for moving said egg along apredetermined path, a spray device movable at an angle to saidpredetermined path and in timed relation with the movement of said egg,sensing means carried by the spray device and arranged to contact theupper portion of the shell of said egg and automatic means forenergizing the spray device while thus positioned.
 13. The apparatusdefined in claim 12 wherein said spray device is directed against thetop of the shell and is connected to a source of sterilizing fluid. 14.The apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein said spray device isconnected to a source of hardenable fluid sprayed is directed against ahole formed at an upper portion of said shell, and wherein means areprovided for disposing a fine screen between said spray device and saidshell.
 15. In an apparatus for harvesting the extra-embryonic fluids ofembryonated eggs which have previously been inoculated with a live virusand incubated to produce virus-containing extra-embryonic fluids in theeggs, said apparatus including means for supporting a plurality of eggswith their blunt ends up and for moving said eggs, one at a time, to aharvesting station after the tops of the blunt ends of the eggs havebeen cut and Removed, the improvement which comprises: a. a harvestingdevice having a tube with a bore and a head at the bottom thereof largerthan the exterior diameter of the tube but smaller than the openings inthe eggs; b. means supporting said harvesting device above the egg insaid harvesting station for reciprocating movement in a verticaldirection, so that the lower end of said harvesting device may beinserted downwardly through the hole in the egg in the harvestingstation, and c. means actuated in timed relation to the movement of theeggs to the harvesting station for moving the harvesting devicedownwardly into each egg at the harvesting station to depress the embryoin that egg and for sucking out of the egg, through the bore of the tubeof the harvesting device, the extra-embryonic fluids of the egg, saidmeans thereafter withdrawing the harvesting device from that egg beforethat egg is moved out of the harvesting station and the next egg movedto the harvesting station.
 16. An apparatus as described in claim 15 inwhich the head at the bottom of the harvesting device has a bottomsurface which is concave upwardly, with the head having a plurality ofradially directed passaged therein extending outwardly to the side ofthe head and connected centrally to the bore of the tube.
 17. In an eggcandling apparatus having means supporting the egg to be candled withits blunt end projecting from the egg supporting means, an emitter oflight rays, and means supporting the light emitter in the proximity ofthe egg when the egg is supported by the egg supporting means, theimprovement comprising: a. means including a light-opaque tube having aninner end adjacent said light emitter and supported by said lightemitter supporting means, and an outer end projecting in the directionof the egg to be candled, preventing the transmission of light from saidlight emitter in all directions except outwardly from the outer end ofsaid light-opaque tube; and b. means for moving one of said supportingmeans relative to the other so that the outer end of said light-opaquetube engages the blunt end of the egg in said egg supporting means whenthat egg is to be candled; c. said light-opaque tube having at leastthat part of it which is at and near the outer end of the tube, in theform of a flexible bellows with annular wall sections, and having at theoutermost end of the bellows an annular wall section which flaresradially outwardly, whereby, during egg candling, a light seal isreadily provided between the egg and the outermost end of the tube whichis effective for all of the normal variations encountered in egg sizesand for all of the normal variations in the orientation of the egg inthe egg supporting means, so that the interior of the egg is illuminatedby the light rays from said light emitter with no significant amount oflight from the light emitter reaching the eye of the candler that doesnot first pass through the egg being candled.
 18. In an apparatus forpropagating virus in eggs for the production of vaccines, thecombination which comprises: a. means for moving said eggs along apredetermined path; b. at least two stations along said path having eggtreating means for treating the eggs by spraying, punching, inoculating,or sealing; c. means for moving each egg treating means up and down andthus away from and toward the eggs in said path; d. means forautomatically timing the movement of each egg treating means in relationwith the movement of the eggs along the path to lower each egg treatingmeans into contact with the egg beneath the corresponding egg treatingmeans; e. egg-sensing means carried by each such egg treating means andresponsive to contact with the egg to be treated for automaticallysensing the presence of the egg to be treated, and f. means responsiveto the individual actuation of each such egg sensing means forenergizing the corresponding egg-treating means to perform the treatingopeRation on the egg contacted.
 19. In an apparatus for propagatingvirus in embryonated eggs for the production of vaccines, thecombination which comprises: a. conveyor means for moving said eggsintermittently along a predetermined path with a dwell period at astation along said path having egg-treating means that discharges eitheran antiseptic or sealing liquid against the surface of the egg or avirus-containing inoculating liquid inside a hole at the top of the egg;b. means for moving said egg-treating means up and down and thus awayfrom and toward the eggs in said path; c. means for automatically timingthe movement of said egg treating means in relation with the movement ofthe eggs along the path to lower said egg treating means close to theegg beneath it in a dwell period of said conveyor means; d. egg-sensingmeans carried by said treating means and responsive to contact with theegg to be treated for automatically sensing the presence of the egg tobe treated; and e. means responsive to actuation of said egg sensingmeans for energizing the egg-treating means to perform the treatingoperation on the egg contacted; whereby no such liquid is discharged bythe egg-treating means onto the conveyor means when the conveyor meansfails to have, during a dwell period, an egg under the egg-treatingmeans.
 20. An apparatus for inoculation of embryonated eggs, comprisingin combination: a. egg-holding means capable of holding eggs in alignedrows; b. a row of hypodermic needles aligned with one row of eggs; c. afirst means for producing relative movement between a row of eggs andthe hypodermic needles aligned with such row of eggs; d. a second meansadjacent each needle that (i) engages the top of the corresponding eggas the first means brings the needles into proximity with the eggs, (ii)causes the corresponding egg to be punctured, and (iii) causes the tipsof the respective needles to be introduced each into its correspondingegg a fixed depth regardless of whether that egg is small, medium orlarge, and regardless of the size of the other eggs in the row; e. athird means connected to each needle for pumping a predetermined volumeof inoculum through each needle when it has entered the eggshell andpenetrated to said fixed depth; and f. a fourth means for returning thesecond means to their original position upon completion of theinoculation of the row of eggs.